Amitabh Bachchan, the name spells magic to anyone who’s even remotely shown interest in Hindi Cinema. Be it the deep Baritone voice or the Striking height or the Perfect smile, he’s got it all, perhaps the Last Emperor of Bollywood reigns supreme as we speak. He like everybody else had his share of’moments’, apparently by that I mean movies he would not be so proud of but it’s his other movies that make him immortal, so here we go his 10 movies in no particular order.
1.Zanjeer
I am listing this movie not because it was his breakout movie but because of the image Amitabh brought to Hindi Cinema’Angry Young Man’. Prakash Mehra the Director of this movie was keen on casting Dev Anand and Raj Kumar for the role which eventually went to Amitabh, is one decision that Hindi Cinema should be grateful of. Pitted against Pran and Ajit, Amitabh stole the show and marked his arrival.
2.Deewar
This movie completely falls into the genre of’Ordinary Story, Extra-ordinary Performance’. Simple story of 2 brothers, one cop, one bad guy was given a whole new perspective by’Vijay’ a name which is now eternally attached to Amitabh. He had the courage to play a character which was dark-gray in shade and knocked off everybody in Hindi Cinema to claim his Coronation.
3.Namak Haram
Not many people realize that Amitabh did most movies with Hrishi Da(Hrishikesh Mukherjee) such as Anand, Chupke Chupke, Namak Har*am, Bemisaal, Jurmaana, Alaap, Golmaal/Guddi(Sp. Appearance), Abhimaan, Mili. He played diversified characters with great attitude. I picked this movie for Amitabh portraying a complex character that’s caught up between his father and his best friend, wonderfully. For people that like serious cinema, check this out.
4.Main Azaad Hoon
This movie is the Indian version of Hollywood flick’Meet Joe Black’ but Amitabh did a great job of providing Indian perspective. Under the Direction of’Tinu Anand’ who wasn’t considered a great director till then put him in the category of Good Directors if not Great. Amitabh as an actor did to Directors what Directors would generally do to actors(Make them famous and successful). Shabana Azmi, Manohar Singh and Annu Kapoor provide able support.
5.Shakti
One of the most anticipated movies of the 80s saw Dilip Kumar pitted Against Amitabh Bachchan. Although Dilip Kumar ended up winning Accolades and Awards. in my book Amitabh was no less. Portraying a character that’s mislead into going against law and his own father was SUPERB to say the least.
6.Mili
One of the most Under-Rated/Under-Appreciated Amitabh movie. Jaya Bachchan who played the title role no doubt had a meaty role but it was Amitabh’s Dark/Lonely character that brough out the best in Jaya. As a loner who loses his parents in a tragic incident which haunts him for years, Amitabh comes out a winner. His confrontation with Jaya, Ashok Kumar who plays her father or Aruna Irani is complex at the same time convincingly done. Kudos.
7.Kala Pathhar
This movie can be described in 3 words’Coal Mine Accidents’ and there were umpteen characters in this flick to represent it on the screen but it was Amitabh’s serious character that stood apart by leaps and bounds. Till date it baffles me to know that this movie was not a successful one, may be it was too ahead of its time. You want to catch an Angry Amitabh Bachchan, besides Zanjeer this is the only movie I can think of. Played with utter sincerity, he makes you believe in his character.
8.Hum
The very mention of this movie would remind most people of’Jumma Chumma De De: which was our Anthem for quite some time in the early 90s but my reason to list this movie is entirely based on other facts. This was a time when Amitabh was going through a rough phase and was keen on hit that would put him back on the Map and that was accomplished. He played a character that was comparable to his own age and excelled in it. This movie had range of stars(RajniKant, Govinda, Danny) but Amitabh as usual stole everyone’s thunder, be it the younger one Wooing Kimi katkar or the older one who beats the hell of out a person making fun of his family. A total entertainer not worthy of being a classic, nevertheless a great Amitabh movie.
9.Sharabi
I was in an extreme fix to select between Sharabi and Namal Halaal but I had to settle for the former for the depth that Amitabh portrayed in this movie. He played an Alcoholic neglected by his father. The way Amitabh’s character looks out to’Munshiji’ played by Prakash Mehra favorite Om Prakash was unbelievable. There were some light moments in this movie like’Moochein Ho to Natthu Lala Jaisi’ but mostly his character was that of a loner which he depicted to the T. A perfect Entertainer.
10.Khakee
I wasn’t very sure about this movie until I saw it and once I did, I knew it had to be listed here. He played a Not so successful Police Officer who embarks on one last mission that would give him the recognition he has been deserving for years. Amitabh’s performance in this mega star movie was powerful, which would be an understatement itself. The frustration that his character shows at times and breaks out at moments just make you think that he is in fact a real cop playing himself on the screen. The Good News is that He still rules when given the right Roles and Directors.
Honorable Mentions
1.Sholay
2.Namak Haraal
3.Amar Akbar Anthony
4.Don
5.Kabhi Kabhi(Not Kabhi khushi Kabhi Gham)